60+ Best Horace Quotes: Exclusive Selection

Quintus Horatius Flaccus, known in the English-speaking world as Horace, was the leading Roman lyric poet during the time of Augustus. Profoundly inspirational Horace quotes will make you look at life differently and help you live a meaningful life.

If you’re searching for quotes by famous poets that perfectly capture what you’d like to say or just want to feel inspired yourself, browse through an amazing collection of profound John Keats quotes, famous Omar Khayyam quotes and top Robert Burns quotes.

Famous Horace Quotes

Pulvis et umbra sumus We are but dust and shadow Horace

We rarely find anyone who can say he has lived a happy life, and who, content with his life, can retire from the world like a satisfied guest Horace

Begin, be bold, and venture to be wise Horace

Youth is unduly busy with pampering the outer person Horace

They change their sky, not their soul, who rush across the sea Horace

Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which, in prosperous circumstances, would have lain dormant Horace

Rule your mind or it will rule you Horace

The envious man grows lean at the success of his neighbor Horace

Pactum serva Keep the faith Horace

He wins every hand who mingles profit with pleasure Horace

He who is greedy is always in want Horace

Wisdom is not wisdom when it is derived from books alone Horace

In love, there are two evils: war and peace Horace

Be modest in speech, but excel in action Horace

Anger is a brief madness Horace

Mix a little foolishness with your serious plans It is lovely to be silly at the right moment Horace

We are just statistics, born to consume resources Horace

Life is largely a matter of expectation Horace

Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which, in prosperous circumstances, would have lain dormant Horace

Why do you hasten to remove anything which hurts your eye, while if something affects your soul you postpone the cure until next year? Horace

A heart well prepared for adversity in bad times hopes, and in good times fears for a change in fortune Horace

Clogged with yesterday’s excess, the body drags the mind down with it Horace

A portion of mankind take pride in their vices and pursue their purpose; many more waver between doing what is right and complying with what is wrong Horace

Help a man against his will and you do the same as murder him Horace

A shoe that is too large is apt to trip one, and when too small, to pinch the feet So it is with those whose fortune does not suit them Horace

He who speaks ill of an absent friend, or fails to take his part if attacked by another, that man is a scoundrel Horace

As a rule, adversity reveals genius and prosperity hides it Horace

Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents, which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant Horace

If it is well with your belly, chest, and feet  the wealth of kings can’t give you more Horace

Avoid inquisitive persons, for they are sure to be gossips, their ears are open to hear, but they will not keep what is entrusted to them Horace

Whatever you teach, be brief what is quickly said, the mind readily receives and faithfully retains, everything superfluous runs over as from a full vessel Horace

Choose a subject equal to your abilities; think carefully what your shoulders may refuse, and what they are capable of bearing Horace

There is a fault common to all singers When they’re among friends and are asked to sing they don’t want to, and when they’re not asked to sing they never stop Horace

Clogged with yesterday’s excess, the body drags the mind down with it Horace

Who then is free? The wise man who can govern himself Horace

Great effort is required to arrest decay and restore vigor Horace

Enjoy in happiness the pleasures which each hour brings with it Horace

One must exercise proper deliberation, plan carefully before making a move, and be alert in guarding against relapse following a renaissance Horace

Get money first; virtue comes after Horace

I never think at all when I write. Nobody can do two things at the same time and do them both well Horace

Anger is a momentary madness, so control your passion or it will control you Horace